Wire-stretcher.



J. E. LOOKETT.

WIRE STRBTGHER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 23, 1914.

1,1 31,937. Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

' 1 Inventor Attorneys JOHN E. LOCKE'IT, OF BROWNSVILLE, TENNESSEE.

WIRE-STRETCHEB.

Application filed ()ctober 23, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JOHN E. Locnn'rr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brownsville, in the county of Haywood and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful iVire-Stretcher, of which the following is a specification.

This invention aims to provide a novel stretcher frame and novel means for anchoring the same.

It is within the scope of the invention to improve generally and to enhance the utility of the devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the descript on proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be ma de within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing :Figure 1 shows the invention in side elevation, applied to a fence; Fig. 2 is a fragmental horizontal section on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the outer post; Fig. i is a perspective of the tightening lever; Fig. 5 is a fragmental side elevation of the clamp; Fig. 6 is a sectional detail showing the way in which the clamp cooperates with the track portions of the frame, parts being broken away and sectioned.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown a fence comprising a terminal post 1 and an intermediate post 2, the post 1 being braced from the post 2 as shown at 3. The fabric which is to be stretched is shown at 4. In order that the fabric 4 when tightened may move with respect to the post 1, the latter comprises coiiperating parts 5 held together by bolts 5 or in other suitable manner, the fabric 4 passing between the constituent parts 5 of the post 1. No attempt has been made to describe the fence in detail, since any fence construction of novel form in itself cannot be claimed in the same application with a wire fence stretcher.

The fence stretcher herein disclosed comprises a rectangular frame embodying an inner post 6, an outer post 7, a top bar 8 connecting the posts 6 and 7, and a bottom Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 16, 1615.

Serial no. seaees.

bar 9 connecting the posts 6 and 7. If desired, hinges 12 may be employed for uniting the posts 6 and 7 with the bars 8 and 9, the construction being such that the frame may be flattened down into a compact form when not in use. The hinged feature above alluded to, further permits the bottom bar 9 to rest on the ground and the inner post 6 to rest against the post 1 although the latter may not be disposed in a truly vertical position. The extremities of the outer post '4' project upwardly and downwardly beyond the bars 8 and 9, respectively, to form earth engaging feet 28, which aid in holding the frame in place.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that either end of the frame may be placed uppermost, the inner post 6 being disposed in abutment with the post 1.

Along their longitudinal edges, the top and bottom bars 8 and 9 respectively are equipped with flanges 10 defining tracks 11. in the outer post 7 there are formed openings l t.

The clamp which holds the fabric 4 comprises a main member 15 and an auxiliary member 16, these parts being in the form of coacting bars united by bolts 17 or other clamping means. To the ends of the main member 15 of the clamp are attached brackets 18 carrying rollers 19 adapted to traverse the tracks 11 when the clamp is moved transversely. The ends of the bar 15 of the clamp preferably are recessed as shown at 20 to receive portions of the rollers 19. Assembled with the bar 15 of the clamp are vertically spaced eye bolts 21 connected with chains 22. The chains 22 are adapted to slide in the openings 1%, but may be held by pins 27 which are thrust through certain links of the chains and engage the post '4. For the actuation of the chains 22 there is provided a lever 23 shown in detail in Fig. 4C and terminated in an angularly disposed flattened head 24 having a terminal notch 25 defining fingers 26. In operation, the fingers 26 are straddled onto the chain and the outer post 7 forms a fulcrum, whereby the chains may be tightened up through the medium of the lever 23. Then the pins 27 may be inserted through certain of the links of the chains, the pins coacting with the post '7 to hold the tension.

It is to be observed tl at by manipulating the chains 22 separately through the me dium of the lever 23, one chain at a time may be tightened up or loosened. The 0peretor, therefore, has Within his control at all times, a means whereby either the upper edge of the fabric 4 or the lower edge thereof may be tightened. This feature is of importance, when, as is frequently the case, the device is operated upon uneven ground or upon a slope.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is A wire stretcher embodying a frame including an inner post; an outer post; a top bar; a bottom bar; hinges connecting the posts with the bars whereby the contour Copies of this patent may be obtained for of the frame may be changed; the bars being provided with tracks; a clamp having its ends slidably received in the tracks; and means for moving the clamp, said means being operatively connected with one of the osts.

p In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN E. LOCKETT. Witnesses:

N. B. KEATHLEY, LAURA BRADFORD.

five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

